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I have posted my PS rough draft below for anyone who might be interested in offering some helpful suggestions.
I believe that my experiences as a college student and as a professional employee are what have most prepared me for the study and practice of law at XXX XXX University.
Prior to college, I enjoyed many different things: Sports, the outdoors and, most of all, playing music. Academia, to say the least, was not one of my primary concerns. To my surprise, while studying in the university, I grew to love learning and the challenge school presented. As I studied philosophy and the mechanics of logical reasoning my interest in legal theory grew, especially in reading the dialogues of Plato. Learning from Socrates, the greatest cross-examiner of antiquity, instilled in me a deep appreciation for thinking and how attorneys utilize many of the same tactics in the legal arena. Like philosophy, legal arguments are not won by groundless opinions and visceral emotions, but with logic and facts. What followed from my discovery of the Socratic Method was a desire to be more persuasive and meaningful in every aspect of life. I wanted to directly engage the legal world that shaped our rights, morals and public policy.
It did not take long to discover, however, that enjoying a liberal education does not make one intelligent overnight. For me, learning requires a great deal of work and discipline. This may seem like a weakness at first, but my determination to succeed overshadows any of my intellectual inabilities. I attended school full-time, worked a part-time job and participated in many extracurricular activities while maintaining the highest academic standards. Similarly, like Socrates before me, I had no great wisdom to boast in, except for the determination to pursue education with great humility. In the end, my determination served me well, as I achieved great academic success and developed the foundational skills necessary to compete in the academy and in the professional world.
After completing my undergraduate and paralegal studies, I instantly put my skills to work with a very reputable law firm in XXX, XX. For the past two years I have dedicated myself to the legal community as a paralegal. Each day my skills grow as I shadow skillful attorneys and learn how to apply and implement the theory of law. Building upon the skills I obtained in college, I have developed a strong sense of responsibility, time management, and the ability to handle difficult situations; moreover, I have been able to harness my analytical, writing and communication skills through my work. In my current position, I handle a very large caseload under the supervision of three attorneys. The nature of my work is demanding as I am responsible for the review and analysis of the files assigned to me. Because of my exemplary qualities several attorneys have given me the authority to negotiate matters directly with opposing counsel in order to resolve pertinent issues prior to their respected hearing dates. This responsibility entrusted to me provides my supervising attorneys with additional time to invest in their practice and the betterment of our firm. These daily experiences have developed my skills beyond the average duties of a common legal assistant and have taught me how to think and act more like a lawyer. In addition, to my current legal duties, I also volunteer my services with a non-for-profit public interest firm in XXX, XX. I help research and compile general election information for the firm’s published voter’s guide. It is not much, but it is an opportunity to serve and help make a difference in the community by providing education and information to voters.
I have no doubt, given my past experiences, that I am exceptionally suited for the study of law and committed to the task. Moreover, I am especially excited about XXX XXX University School of Law (XXX) because of its part-time evening program that provides working professionals with an opportunity to earn their Juris Doctorate. My background is tailor made for XXX’s law program as it will allow me to continue my legal work within the community as I offer my personal qualifications to the school of law. To that end, with humility and determination, I look forward to the rewarding challenges of law school.
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:29 am 
